Green is one of the treasured color choices in stones even though the finest one such as jade, emerald, tsavorite garnet and demantoid are quite expensive and very rare. The green hues come about as a result of traces of vanadium and chromium. These green gemstones are found in a wide range of colors including chrome green, apple-green, bluish-green and yellowish-green.
This guide contains a tour of some of the famous green gemstones and some of their properties. The listing includes among the rarest and less familiar stones you have ever come across.
Jade
Jade is categorically among the most durable stones to be discovered. That includes the nephrite and jadeite varieties. The stone is tough and cannot break on being hit with a hammer. The green gemstone has resounding musical properties when struck. Jade rings like a bell even though it is not advisable to try that when wearing it.
Jade bears a stunning translucence that has wowed people making it one of the favorites for carving. You are advised to avoid low-quality jades. These inexpensive jades have a very low durability as they are heavily treated.
Verdelite and Chrome Tourmaline
In case you are a faceted gemstone fanatic then a green tourmaline is all you need. The gemstone can be huge and bear better clarity. Tourmaline has a fascinating durability and is affordable. In fact, tourmaline is one of the top alternatives for emerald. This gemstone is an October birthstone and gets an emerald cut at times.
If you want a top color stone that is much rarer you need to look for chrome tourmaline. However, they are more expensive than the counterpart verdelites. Chrome tourmaline have a more saturated and ambient green which makes it pricey. The green color is brought about by chromium which is also a very rare element used to give emeralds their color.
Green Garnets: Tsavorite and Demantoid
For the green gemstone fanatics who prefer a gem that has lots of sparkle then the green garnets ought to be your friend. It is a January birthstone that bears brownish red hues. Garnets may occur in a range of colors but green is a favorite among the gemstone collectors. Green garnets are named differently depending on how they were formed and the chemistry.
Grossular garnets could be lighter mint garnets or some deeply colored tsavorites. These tsavorites are admired by many jewelers due to their unique color and the spectacular sparkle they give when cut.
The demantoid garnet is, however, rarer and was given the name demantoid due to their flashes of color. Demantoid means ‘diamond-like.’ This gemstone is expensive and rarer than other green garnets due to its chemistry.
Bloodstone
Some of the unique features of this gemstone are medium hardness, affordable, historically significant, and reds spots on its surface. Bloodstone got its name from the brown and red spots found on its surface. They are exquisite gemstones that have been used severally since the old days.
They occur in dark green color to bluish-green and they are a member of the chalcedony stones. The stone can be faceted but it is usually cut en cabochon. Bloodstones are known to do well in carving. Since it is a tough and hard green gemstone, bloodstone can make any jewelry. They are also quite affordable.
Green Diamond
It is a pricey yet very rare gemstone. The stone bears green hues that are quite stunning. Its color comes from the nickel, hydrogen, and nitrogen found in the crystal structure of the diamond. The beautiful colors could also be a result of defects that were brought about by irradiation during the formation of the diamond.
If the natural green diamond is above your budget you can go for treated diamonds. They can be irradiated to produce fantastic colors and be available for a cheaper amount.
Maw Sit Sit
Jade may be the best green gemstone one could purchase but if you are low on budget, Maw Sit Sit is a perfect alternative. The gem has impressive bright hues because of the chromium contained in the stone and black inclusions. That gives it an appealing appearance just like a jade.
Some deposits of maw sit sit contain jadeite. Clinochlore and jadeite will combine to produce bright green hue. The material is cheap making it a viable alternative for the expensive gems.
Green Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl is famous for the classic yellow color found on the gem. This green gemstone bears a color-changing variety that makes it admirable to the jewelers. Impressive mint green gemstones occur in different parts of the world. However, the green chrysoberyl market is not vast. Perfectly-worked on green chrysoberyl bears a remarkable brilliance that is ideal for jewelry.
Chrysoprase
It is a refreshing gemstone that is very beautiful. Chrysoprase is one of the chalcedony and bears inclusions of nickel which bring about the bright green hues. The gem can be carved or cabbed. Chrysoprase also resembles jade as it is translucent. The toughest deposits occur in Australia, so if you seek a jewelry made of chrysoprase that will last long then get one from Australia.
Avoid exposing the gemstone to direct sunlight more so if it occurs from other places and not the one from Australia.
Prasiolite
It is a yellow-green gemstone and can be cut for use by gem collectors or jewelry. The stone can be produced via different processes which include irradiated amethyst, heat-treated amethyst and the natural heated amethyst.
Purple color occurring in this stone can be attributed to the presence of iron mineral in the quartz. The gemstone color is quite stable but might change when heated at high temperatures. It is also important to learn that prasiolite is a less expensive jewelry stone though it has gained popularity over time.
Green Sapphire
Even though the blue sapphire is widely known, there is also a green sapphire gemstone which is quite astonishing. While the green sapphire is rarely found, it is an excellent choice for a ring. The stone is also very hard and durable meaning it will last long as ring. The gem appears in diverse colors such as yellow greens, mint green and olive green.
Gems with a green-blue mermaid color are famous among collectors. However, the best part is that this stone is inexpensive since it is not as popular as the blue sapphire.
Idocrase (Vesuvianite)
Idocrase creates a stunning faceted gem when used as a crystal. When in huge amounts, the gemstone resembles jade. Idocrase crystals are found near Mt. Vesuvius in the metamorphosed limestones. That is why some experts and gem junkies refer to the stone as Vesuvinite. Idocrase is not commonly used as jewelry.
Even though not mostly used as jewelry, idocrase does not show any durability concerns. It should be easily used as jewelry for everyday wear.
Aventurine
It is a family of quartz that has natural sparkles. Aventurine has thin and flat inclusions that sparkle in light bringing about aventurescence. Their presence also brings about a blueish green color in the quartz. The gemstone is durable for use as jewelry as it has a rating of 7 on the Mohs. When purchasing the gem be careful as an artisanal glass called goldstone is also referred to as aventurine. Though its material is quite different from the quartz aventurine.
Emerald
Among the most popular green gemstones available in the world currently is emerald. The gemstone has inspired popular jewelry pieces and legends. Emerald stone has a hardness rating of 8. The gem is a May birthstone that is not likely to have any scratches due to the hardness.
However, you may be surprised that the stone is not able to produce an amazing ring stone such as sapphire or ruby. The gem has imperfections in that it can break when knocked against a hard surface or a table. Emeralds are also known to receive some oil treatments to enhance their appearance.
If you are looking for an emerald ring stone, you can be sure it is hard enough as there is a way they have been enhanced to reduce the risk.
Peridot
It is among the unique gems that are formed in volcanoes. Peridot is an August birthstone and some deposits may emanate from outer space. This gem will be ejected during volcanoes and later fall just nearby the volcano. Even though the yellow-green stones are affordable and quite popular as jewelry stones, they are not durable.
This gem is sensitive to abrupt changes in temperature and can easily break when hit by a hard object.
Chrome Diopside
It is a popular green gemstone used for costume jewelry. Chrome diopside is quite popular that almost every gemstone junkie will easily recognize. Most of the chrome diopside deposits currently in the world are found in eastern Siberia. The deposits were discovered in 1988. Pakistan has also produced chrome diopside having been discovered recently.
The gem is rare despite having a low price. It has alluring deep green colors which make it a number one choice for gem lovers who are searching for cheap green jewelry. However, you need to understand that chrome diopside is a soft stone that can easily be scratched. It can also chip or split when struck, so be careful with diopside jewelry.
Moldavite
If you are an olive greens person or love extraterrestrial stuff then a piece of moldavite jewelry will do you fine. It is a green gemstone that is actually natural glass. The gem forms after meteorites collide with stones. After it hits the rock on the surface, it liquefies it and throws it into the sky. Upon coming back to the ground, the rock cools and forms natural glass.
This glass is just like any other glass which means it can easily scratch. Take good care of the gem when used in jewelry as it can scratch or break easily.
Turquoise
Many think turquoises only come in blue and other colors. Are you aware there is a turquoise green gemstone? Most turquoise will bear a blue-green hue but there are turquoises with a darker green color. Deposits from Carico Lake in Nevada bear an apple green color with black spiderweb altercations.
Some other turquoise sources produce gems that are bluish-green in color. The stone is used to make jewelry and ornaments. It will last long enough if taken good care of as jewelry.
Sunstone and Oregon Sunstone
Feldspar is widely known as a precious mineral found on Earth. Steadily, the gemstones are becoming a collector’s favorite. The reason being sunstone contains inclusions of iron minerals while the oregon sunstone has copper inclusions that produce some glittering. The red hues are popular amongst collectors but the green and blue-green gems are also glamorous.
Zoisite
Zoisite was initially known as saualpite. The gem occurs in several forms including crystals, orthorhombic or prismatic. It is found the pegmatitic and metamorphic rock. It is known by many for the violet-blue crystals known as tanzanite. However, the stone appears in a wide range of other colors including green, brown, colorless, gray, yellow, and pink.
The green zoisite is also known as green tanzanite to distinguish it from the rest. This gem is not transparent and lapidaries usually make facets of the item. Marvelous decorative pieces from the gem can be made when black hornblende, opaque green zoisite, and opaque red ruby are combined.
Malachite
Malachite is a copper mineral that bears banded green circles giving it a wondrous beauty. Symbolically, malachite has been affiliated with money. Some deposits of malachite can be quite huge in size and are used to make decorative objects. The precious stone is also used to make jewelry even though it is a soft stone.
The gem is also sensitive to acids and heat. Malachite has a patterned coloration which makes it radiant. The stone is believed to occur in Egypt in 4,000 BCE. Back then it was used for cosmetics and painting apart from ornamental use.
Green Zircon
This precious stone is usually mistaken for cubic zirconia. Green zircon is, however, a diamond simulant and a December birthstone. White zircons resemble diamonds while the blue zircons are less expensive though a collector’s favorite. The green zircon is somehow a rare mineral. The gem will also not show a bright green color but will mostly showcase olive colors.
Zircon is hard and can resist scratches but edges from a facet material may easily chip. Wearing your jewelry occasionally will also help maintain the jewelry and keep it damages-free.
Serpentine
Serpentine is commonly referred to as the state rock of California. This gem resembles a jade in almost every aspect. The rock is soft even though it is widely used as jewelry. It is a metamorphic rock that bears olive green hues.
Serpentine makes very charming decorative pieces of art as well. Serpentine minerals occur in diverse forms such as lizardite, chrysotile and antigorite. Other serpentine minerals can also be found around the world but they are rare. These serpentine minerals form through one process and most will have the same physical properties.
The gem has a slippery feel and a patterned appearance that make it a treasure to gem collectors.
Prehnite
Found in apple green and rarely transparent, this green gemstone is used to produce interesting cabochons. Lapidaries have been able to facet the translucent prehnite even though it is soft. However, the gem has a rating of 6.5 Mohs meaning it is resistant to scratches. The mineral forms in distinct formation habits and could occur as bubbly or rounded crystal masses.
There are some elongated prehnite formations bearing a rounded head and finger-like structures. Some lapidaries have been able to create jewelry from this green gemstone.
Green Apatite
Apatite commonly refers to a group of minerals. The name is used to refer to different species of gems. However, you will find that the term is used by many people to refer to any member of that specific gemstone family. Blue-green is a common color for apatite but green apatite also appears. The gem is quite soft and brittle meaning it can be easily scratched.
Lapidaries also have a tough time working with this gem due to its softness. The stone can be used for jewelry but only for earrings and pendants. Take good care of the jewelry made from this stone and it will last long.
Variscite
Variscite is a famous material loved for carvings and cabochons. The outstanding gem produces light green hues that are nothing short of magical. However, the stone is too soft and cannot be used to make ring wear. It produces phenomenal beads that people have praised for a long time. Archeologists in France unearthed some beads that were 6,000 years old and believed to be Neolithic variscite. This gem gives lapidaries hard work as their soft nature can easily be scratched and even chipped.
Kornerupine
Kornerupine is among the highly prized green gemstones due to its green hues. The stone resembles emerald. Kornerupine is naturally small and very rare as a faceted gem. Prices go higher as the size of the stone increases. Even though the stone is hard with a rating of 7 Mohs, it has a perfect cleavage.
That means when hit by another object it will easily split into two. The stone was first seen in 1884 in Greenland and was named after Andreas N. Kornerup who was a Danish geologist. However, gem-quality material occurred in 1975. Since then, the gem has appeared in different places including Madagascar, Russia, Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Burma. Apart from the greenish kornerupine there are other colors including blue, yellow, dark green, rose, colorless, black, and olive-green.
Chrome Sphene
Chrome sphene is a unique green gemstone and very rare. The stone has an emerald color and more dispersion than a blue diamond. Chrome sphene is brittle and soft but some lapidaries have managed to create impressive jewelry from the same. It takes a lot of skills and experience to superbly work on such a soft gemstone.
This variety of gems is the most valuable as it is rare. The stone also has a remarkable clarity meaning it is valued a lot by collectors.
Ekanite
If you lead a dangerous life then this green gemstone is for you. The stone contains a muted olive green that has thorium and uranium. That makes this gem highly radioactive. However, the smaller sizes do not pose a high risk in terms of radiation.
A significant size such as a 5-ct gem would mean you are taking in more than four times your annual radiation dose. The gem was discovered by F. L. D. Ekanayake as duo cabochon gemstones. That was in Sri Lanka in 1953. However, it was until 1961 that the scientists confirmed it was a new gemstone.
Hiddenite
If there is one hard-to-cut green gemstone is hiddenite. Lapidaries are almost completely unable to cut the stone as every time it simply falls apart. Hiddenite is a member of the mineral spodumene which is popular for the pink stone kunzite. Upon a little force on the gemstone, it can easily break since it bears two perfect cleavages.
While hiddenite is ideal as a decoration in the house, you can also choose to put it on your body. However, you are advised to save it for evening wear as it easily fades when exposed to bright lights or sunlight.
Gaspeite
Collectors love this nickel-bearing gemstone. The stone appears in light green and might cause skin irritation due to the presence of nickel. The nickel present could also be carcinogenic so you are advised to exercise caution when handling the gemstone. You should understand that gaspeite is soluble in acids and accidental ingestion could bring about a toxic reaction on your body.
Ensure you put on gloves and also put on a dust mask when working on this green gemstone. Avoid any instances where you might inhale the particles from the stone as this could have drastic effects on your body.
Seraphinite (Clinochlore)
The swirling green clinochlore is used as jewelry today. These are made from the cabochons of seraphinite. However, the precious stone is ideal when used as home decorations. That is because it is soft and brittle that even a fingernail could do some significant damage to it. A polished cabochon will not remain bright over time due to its physical properties.
Lapidaries have a hard time working on this gemstone as it is too soft to make long-lasting jewelry. The gemstone is, however, visually appealing and can be secured at a low price.
Actinolite Cat’s Eye
Actinolite is a green gemstone occurring in a translucent state. This gem displays a rather rare phenomenon known as chatoyancy. This is also what is referred to as cat’s eye effect. Chatoyancy is what is seen as silky reflections on the stone’s surface. The phenomena come as a result of light from fibrous inclusions.
The prices of this gem can greatly differ with the quality and size of the gemstone in question. However, the stone is ideal for jewelry and can be used to make earrings, bracelets, and rings.
Agate
It is a translucent microcrystalline quartz. Agate has a desirable color and quality which makes it a semiprecious gem. The gem may occur in diverse colors including black, pink, red, white, and even yellow. Collectors and lapidaries love this stone as it has unique patterns and interesting colors apart from the green one. The gemstone can be cut into beads, cabochons, and small sculptures.
Amazonite
This precious stone is also called Amazonstone. The gem is a precious green tectosilicate mineral. Amazonite can easily be made into tumbled stones, beads, and cabochons. Amazonite occurs in a bluish-green color and it is rarely used as jewelry since not many people are aware of the stone. However, the gemstone is gaining popularity as people get more into the perceived spiritual and healing benefits of gem materials.
Chrysocolla
It is a gemstone bearing a bluish-green to sky blue color. The gem contains copper which produces the bright alluring color in the stone. Chrysocolla is, however, not durable and quite soft. These properties make it hard to penetrate the jewelry market as it has to be harnessed by other elements to make it tough.
Fluorite
It is also known as fluorspar and occurs as calcium fluoride. Fluorite is fairly tough as on the Mohs scale it has a rating of 4. When in its pure form, the gem is transparent in ultraviolet and visible light. The stone can be added on impurities that make it quite an impressive mineral that can be used for ornamental and lapidary purposes.
Grandidierite
Grandidierite is a rare mineral that bears lovely blue-green hues. The gem is seldom seen in jewelry as it can be used on rings, earrings, and necklaces. To find the faceted pieces of this gem is hard however, some transparent deposits are slowly getting introduced in the market. This precious stone has a high resistance meaning it cannot be easily scratched or chipped. It is one of the high valued properties of jewelry.
Quartz Cat’s Eye
The quartz cat’s eye gem is the commonest gem and bears some greenish or grayish-green colors. It also has parallel asbestos fibers. The quartz cat’s eye is not easily differentiated from the valuable chrysoberyl cat’s eye. However, their specific gravities are used to differentiate them as chrysoberyl is denser.
